Sandbox Summit

The Challenge

Play is how kids learn. But with the influx of ​technology into every aspect of kids’ lives, the ways ​and means of play changed. Manufacturers ​imbedded toys with technology because…they ​could. Digital natives logged on before they could ​walk and blogged before they could write. How ​were all these bells, whistles and chips changing the ​way kids processed information? What was this new ​kind of play teaching? Were they still learning to ​think critically; or could they merely ace ​standardized tests? How could we make sure that ​the next generation of players became active ​innovators rather than passive consumers of media?

The Solution

Sandbox Summit was a ground-breaking idea forum ​designed to address how modern technology ​affected the ways kids play, learn, and connect. ​Through high-energy panels, innovative ​demonstrations, original research, and thought-​provoking workshops with toy industry and media ​leaders, analysts, educators, and rock stars, each ​Sandbox Summit strategically intermingled ​practices, brands, platforms, and viewpoints. This ​new model of multi-discipline symposium ​stimulated the means, developers, and do-ers that ​encouraged spontaneous collaborations and ​innovations.

Sandbox Summit ran from 2008 to 2016, with 12 ​conferences, including an annual sponsorship at ​M.I.T. from 2010-2016.